Fifty-five years ago, the United States added its 50th state. As Hawaii celebrates its anniversary, take a spin through captivating photos from the waters, beaches and volcanoes from the state's eight main islands, kicking off with a view of palm trees in Wailua, Kauai. 1998 photo by Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau

A double rainbow appears in Hanalei on the island of Kauai. 2013 photo via the Kauai Visitors Bureau

A sea turtle lies on the beach in Kailua, Hawaii, on Aug. 7, 2014. AP

A palm-tree-lined, crescent-shaped beach at the Napili Kai Beach Resort in Maui, Hawaii, in January 2014. Candyce Stapen, USA TODAY

Makapuu Beach on the east coast of Oahu, Hawaii. Islands to the right are Rabbit Island and Lizard Island, that were named for their shape rather than inhabitants. Both are protected wildlife refuge for seabirds. 2007 photo by Mike Tsukamoto, USA TODAY

A view of the downtown Honolulu skyline and the Waikiki Yacht Club in January 2011. Kirby Lee, US PRESSWIRE

Visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawaii view a surface flow of lava from the Pu'u O'o vent on the slope of the Kilauea caldera, which began erupting in 1983. 2003 photo by Mike Tsukamoto, USA TODAY

Tourists visit Duke Kahanamoku Beach in the Honolulu tourist neighborhood of Waikiki in Hawaii in May 2014. AP

With the Pacific Ocean in front of them, sunbathers enjoy the Waikiki sunshine in Honolulu in March 2011. AP file photo

Hanauma Bay on the island of Oahu. The bay is a marine life preserve that draws over one million visitors a year and was formed when a volcano crater collapsed into the sea, forming a protected bay. 2003 photo by Mike Tsukamoto, USA TODAY

Souvenier ukulele's are for sale at a flea market at Aloha Stadium on Oahu. 2007 photo by Mike Tsukamoto, USA TODAY

The Japanese Sanju Pagoda of Nuuanu sits next to a group of residential towers in Honolulu, as seen this month. AP

A sunbather sits on the beach in Waikiki in Honolulu on Aug. 7, 2014. AP

From Here to Eternity Beach on the eastern shore of Oahu. This beach was made famous in the love scene of the movie "From Here to Eternity" starring Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr. 2007 photo by Mike Tsukamoto, USA TODAY

A sailboat takes tourists out for an excursion along Waikiki Beach at sunset in Honolulu in December 2010 AFP/Getty Images file photo

View of the east coast of Oahu from the Nuuanu Pali Lookout. It was on these cliffs of the Koolau Mountains in 1795 that the army of King Kamehameha defeated the Oahu army by forcing them over the 900-foot cliffs, uniting the Hawaiian Islands. 2003 photo by Mike Tsukamoto, USA TODAY

Hikers climb by Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in April 2005. File photo by Kevin Eans, USA TODAY

Waves crash at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. 2010 National Park Service photo

A yellow hibiscus flower pokes out along the walkway near the Prince Kuhio Hotel in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii. 2007 photo by Mike Tsukamoto, USA TODAY

Residential apartments and condos in lower Kaimuki-Kapahulu, on the outskirts of Waikiki on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, are seen in 2007. Mike Tsukamoto, USA TODAY

The beach near the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's North Shore. 2008 AP photo

A beach on Waikiki in Honolulu. 2009 AP photo

Tourists watch the sunset along Waikiki Beach in Honolulu in December 2010. AFP/Getty Images file photo

A view of Waikiki Beach in Honolulu on December 2010. AP file photo

A view of Duke Kahanamoku Beach in the Honolulu tourist neighborhood of Waikiki in Hawaii in February 2013. AP

A group of tourists from California head into the water for a surf lesson in Waikiki in Honolulu on Aug. 7, 2014. AP

People lounge on Waikiki's beaches in Honolulu on Aug. 6, 2014. AP

Hikers make their way through the sharp and jagged lava fields toward active lava flows around sunset at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. 2005 photo by Kevin Eans, USA TODAY

A surfer launches down one of the large waves breaking along Sunset Beach, Hawaii. 2006 AP photo

A hula dancer performs at a torch-lighting and hula show held at sunset on Kuhio Beach in Waikiki in July 2006. AP file photo

A view just after sunset off of Waikiki Beach in Honolulu in May 2013. AP

A paddle boarder looks out over the Pacific Ocean as the sun sets at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu in December 2013. AP

A view from the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at Kilauea in March 1997. Big Island Hawaii Visitor's Bureau

A turtle rests on the Punalu'u Black Sand Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. Mike Tsukamoto, USA TODAY

Volcanic gas escapes from a vent in the Halemaumau Crater near the Jaggar Museum inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. 2008 AP photo

A view of coffee trees on the Big Island of Hawaii. 2012 photo by Laura S. Bly, USA TODAY

Puuhonua o Honaunau -- the Big Island's famous totem poles -- are seen in July 2104. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Dozens of beaches ring the island of Kauai, like this spot on the island's east coast. 1998 photo by Jayne Clark, USA TODAY

A view of Wailua Falls in Kauai. 1998 photo by Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau

A view of Kee Beach, as seen from the Kalalau Trail. 1998 photo by Denny Gainer, USA TODAY

The view from Hanalei Lookout on Kauaui's north shore takes in acres of orderly taro fields. 1998 photo by Jayne Clark, USA TODAY

A blossom blooms in July 2007 on an Ohia Lehua tree at Kauai's Limahuli Garden. The north shore site of the National Tropical Botanical Garden features a variety of plants native to the islands. AP file photo

A January 2008 view of Shipwreck Beach in Poipu on Kauai's south shore. Filephoto by Laura Bly, USA TODAY

Visitors relax on Waikiki beach in Honolulu in July 2013. AP

The beach in Wailea, a popular resort area on Maui is seen in January 2014. Candyce Stapen, USA TODAY

A view of Hanalei beach in Kauai. 2011 photo by Laura Bly, USA TODAY

A view of the uplands of Koke'e State Park. 2009 photo by Madison Kirkman

A view of Sweetheart Rock in Manele Bay. 2012 photo by Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay